So we've finally arrived in Irkutsk, the capitol of Siberia after 4 days on the train and 2 days spent in a small village on Lake Baikal. I hope to never again repeat a 4 day train ride, at least not in Russia! It was shear and utter boredom and no shower. Lake Baikal is beautiful- the largest lake in the world with 20% of earth's fresh water. It is also very cold. We stayed in Bolsoe Goloustmoe, a town of 800 that has no running water and just reconnected electricity in 2005, which had been shut off following the dissolution of Soviet power. Horses and cows wander the town and surrounding area. And the horses are mainly used for meat, not riding. We got to experience a banyan as there was no running water for a bath or shower.
Now for Irkutsk fashion: Early 90s.
Men: Tracksuits and Cosby sweaters, sometimes together.
Women: 1 word- Scrunchies! And remember those giant banana clips? Yeah, they're pretty popular. So are rain slickers, especially in mauve or taupe- nearly ubiquitous on women over 40. Moscow this ain't.
